January 24, 2009
Preparing my son (16 y/o junior) for college. Need tips from parents who have done this before?
geohoop asked:
Explain process, financing, etc.
What are pitfalls to watch for?
He is just an average student, no scholarships, looking for average public college. Fields of interest may be accounting, sports administration, physical therapy
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Comments on Preparing my son (16 y/o junior) for college. Need tips from parents who have done this before?
Talk to finacial advisors at the schools he is looking into. There are many scholarships that are not tied to academics.
Be sure to visit the campus on a regular school day.
If he isn’t sure what is major is going to be have him consider going to a community college for the general coursework (English, math, etc…) first and transferring after he decides on a major.
Make him work to pay for part of his tuition, etc… He’ll be less likely to goof off if he knopws he has to help pay for his schooling.
Fill out the FAFSA forms as soon as possible- right after you do your taxes during his senior year. The money is first come first served.
If he is going to get a student loan, check the rates at several banks before you go with the lending institution the school recommends.
One pitfall is students use of credit cards/. No matter how bright they are they do not seem to realize that the amounts that are charged need to be paid back.